India’s boxing contingent continued to make its presence felt at the World Boxing Cup Stage 2 in China with a series of encouraging performances on the second day of competition. Led by an emphatic victory from Jyoti, who became the first Indian boxer to secure a medal at the tournament, the team enjoyed a positive outing with three boxers advancing to the next stage of their respective events.
The World Boxing Cup has emerged as one of the key international competitions in the amateur boxing calendar, bringing together elite boxers from across the globe. With the event serving as an important platform for rankings, experience, and preparation ahead of future international championships, India’s strong showing on day two highlighted the country’s growing depth in the sport.
The standout performance came from Jyoti in the women’s 48kg division. Facing Mongolia’s Enkh Amgalan Nomundari, the Indian boxer dominated proceedings from the opening bell. Displaying superior speed, sharp combinations, and relentless aggression, Jyoti quickly established control of the bout.
Her pressure proved too much for her opponent as the referee stepped in during the second round to stop the contest, awarding Jyoti victory through a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision. The result propelled her into the semi-finals and guaranteed India its first medal of the tournament, marking a significant milestone in the campaign.
The convincing nature of the victory will also boost Jyoti’s confidence as she prepares for tougher challenges in the latter stages of the competition. Her ability to dictate the pace and maintain technical discipline throughout the contest showcased the progress she has made on the international stage.
India’s success continued in the women’s 57kg category, where Prachi delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day. Taking on American boxer Deborah Grant, Prachi combined effective footwork with accurate punching to control all three rounds of the contest.
The judges unanimously awarded the bout to the Indian boxer by a 5-0 margin, underlining her superiority throughout the encounter. Prachi rarely allowed her opponent to settle into a rhythm and consistently landed scoring punches while maintaining defensive discipline. Her progression into the next round strengthens India’s prospects in the women’s categories, where several boxers are viewed as potential medal contenders.
In the men’s 55kg division, Nikhil produced a gritty performance to keep his campaign alive. Facing France’s Christopher Hippocrate, Nikhil was involved in one of the closest contests of the day. Both boxers exchanged strong combinations across three competitive rounds, making the final verdict difficult to predict. Ultimately, Nikhil’s consistency and ability to finish exchanges strongly impressed the judges, who awarded him a narrow 3-2 split decision victory.
The win demonstrated Nikhil’s composure under pressure and his ability to deliver in tightly contested situations, qualities that will be crucial as the tournament progresses. While India celebrated three important victories, day two also brought disappointment for several members of the contingent.
Poonam came agonizingly close to advancing in the women’s 54kg category. The Indian boxer fought bravely against Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao Wen Huang in a highly competitive bout but eventually suffered a narrow 2-3 split decision defeat. Similarly, Akash endured heartbreak in the men’s 75kg division. Facing Poland’s Mateusz Urban, he matched his opponent throughout the contest before falling short by the same 2-3 scoreline.
Gitimoni faced a difficult challenge in the women’s 70kg category against France’s Maelys Richol. Despite her efforts, the French boxer controlled the action and secured a unanimous 5-0 victory to eliminate the Indian from the competition.
Despite those setbacks, India’s overall performance reflected the increasing competitiveness of its boxing programme. The nation has consistently emerged as one of Asia’s strongest boxing powers in recent years, with Indian boxers earning medals at World Championships, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Games, and other major international events. Attention now shifts to an action-packed third day of competition, where several Indian boxers will enter the ring with hopes of extending the country’s medal challenge.
Nikhil returns for another crucial contest in the men’s 55kg category against Brazil’s Kelvy Trindade. Deepak will take on Japan’s Sewon Okazawa in the men’s 70kg division, while Malsawmtluanga is scheduled to face Jordan’s Ashaish Hussein in the men’s 80kg event.
In the women’s competition, Saneh will meet South Korea’s Seon Sujin in the 65kg category, while Mahi Lama faces Mongolia’s Monkhor Namuun in the 60kg division.
With Jyoti already assuring India of a podium finish and several boxers still in contention, the Indian camp will be optimistic about adding more medals to its tally over the coming days. The performances so far have highlighted both the talent and depth within the squad, offering positive signs as Indian boxing continues its pursuit of success on the global stage.
